Divorce

As a result of your divorce, there may be actions you will want to take to update your personal and financial records. To assist you, the staff of the Employee Service Center has compiled this list of actions you may want to consider. All items listed may not pertain to your individual situation, nor may all actions you should consider be included.

Please keep copies of any confirmation e-mails you receive or forms you submit for your personal records. Feel free to call us at 301-517-8100 if you have questions or require assistance.

Note: Forms and online submissions through the Benefits Enrollment System (BES) need to be received by ERSC by the 20th of the month to be processed for the current month. If changes are received after the 20th, the change will be processed with an effective date of the following month.

Example:Forms and BES online submissions received by September 20 are processed with October 1 effective date. Forms and BES online submissions received after September 20 but before October 20 are processed with November 1 effective date.

Change of Name, Address, and Phone NumberComplete MCPS Form 445-1: Change in Personal Information.If you are changing your name, attach a copy of the legal document. (Divorce paper if returning to maiden name.)Send the form and copy of the legal document to the Employee and Retiree Service Center.

Update Life Insurance BeneficiaryVisit ESS and select Benefits enrollment/changes due to qualifying life event. Log in to the Benefits Enrollment System and follow the on-screen instructions to update your life insurance beneficiary(ries).

Update Flexible Spending Account for Dependent Care or Medical ExpensesVisit ESS and select Benefits enrollment/changes due to qualifying life event. Log in to the Benefits Enrollment System and follow the on-screen instructions to update your flexible spending account(s). Note: Must provide a copy of divorce papers.

Retirement Benefits Provide your attorney with the Model Qualified Domestic Relations Order (PDF). The purpose of this Model is to make it easier for parties in a divorce to ensure that a Domestic Relations Order (which addresses the plan benefits of a member or former member of the MCPS Employees’ Retirement and Pension System) will be eligible for processing by MCPS.